Steam powered hybrid vehicle

Abstract

The idea within the scope of the present invention is for a vehicle to be driven by an electric motor. An external combustion engine drive a generator which supplies electricity for the electric motor. Surplus energy is stored in the batteries. The external combustion engine would be a preferred gasoline or diesel fueled steam engine. Steam is probably the best currently understood technology for the engine of the present invention. The combination use of steam and electric has advantages. A steam engine takes time to build pressure in a boiler before it can produce power. During this time the batteries will power the electric motor. The system of the present invention overcomes the problem of limited range in a pure electric powered vehicle, inefficiency of an internal combustion powered vehicle and long startup problems of pure steam driven vehicles. The present invention does not require a whole new fuel delivery infrastructure like a hydrogen fuel cell does.

1. A method for producing electricity for a steam powered hybrid vehicle, said hybrid vehicle comprising, in combination:
 an internal combustion engine; 
 at least one fuel tank means; 
 at least one fuel pump means; 
 at least one fuel line means; 
 at least one burner means; 
 at least one boiler means; 
 at least one steam line means; 
 at least one steam engine means; 
 at least one vapor recovery line means; 
 at least one vapor recovery mechanism means 
 at least one steam engine output shaft means; 
 at least one generator means; 
 at least one electric cable means; 
 at least one battery pack means; 
 at least one electric cable means; 
 at least one motor controller means; 
 at least one electric cable means; 
 at least one electric motor means; 
 at least one electric motor output shaft means; 
 at least one universal joint means; 
 at least one driveshaft means; 
 at least one differential means; 
 at least one drive axle means; 
 at least one drive wheels means; 
 
     the method for producing electricity of said steam powered hybrid vehicle comprising a sequence of installation including a preferred remove and replace procedure and a preferred method of operation for said vehicle, wherein said preferred component parts removal and replacement procedure comprising the following steps in the specific order:
 (a) removing said standard combustion engine, transmission and radiator from the vehicle; 
 (b) fabricating a mounting plate system so as to mount said electric automobile motor where the transmission was formerly mounted; 
 (c) fabricating an attachment mechanism to attach said electric motor to said universal joint where said output shaft of said transmission formerly was connected; 
 (d) mounting and attaching said electric motor as set forth in step c; 
 (e) mounting said battery pack in an appropriate location; 
 (f) fabricating another attachment mechanism to connect said output shaft of steam engine to said generator; 
 (g) fabricating a mounting system to attach said steam engine, said generator, said boiler and said burner to the vehicle engine compartment area; 
 (h) fabricating and setting an appropriate motor controller; 
 (i) fabricating and setting an appropriate boiler/burner combination; 
 (j) fabricating and setting the steam engine; 
 (k) said steam engine, said boiler/burner combination, said generator and said electric motor are mounted into said engine compartment while being attached to the previously mentioned mounting system; 
 (l) attaching said fuel line to said burner; 
 (m) fabricating said steam lines and attaching them to said steam engine; 
 (n) cutting an electric cable into the necessary lengths and attaching to necessary connectors; and 
 (o) attaching said electric cables to said battery pack, said motor controller and said electric motor. 
 
   
   
     2. The method for producing electricity for a steam powered vehicle as set forth above in  claim 1 , wherein said preferred method of operation comprising the following steps in order;
 (a) inserting the ignition key into the ignition lock and turning to the run position; this now enables the circuitry controlling of said electric motor which in turn enables ignition of said burner; 
 (b) placing the drivers right foot on the brake pedal which engages the brakes and disengaging a transmission selector lock; the transmission selector is moved to the desired position being “D” for drive or “R” for reverse; 
 (c) placing the driver's right foot on the accelerator pedal, and inserting an appropriate amount of pressure; 
 (d) sending an electric signal from the accelerator pedal to said motor controller, which allows an appropriate amount of electricity, in the appropriate polarity, to flow to said electric motor said electric motor turns which then propels said vehicle as desired by the driver; and 
 (e) heating the water in the boiler to 212 degrees Fahrenheit to produce steam, said steam then flows from said boiler to said steam engine which acts upon the internal mechanism of said steam engine, causing it to turn said generator; while the turning of said generator causes generation of electricity, which flows to said battery pack, replenishing the electricity used by said electric motor to operate the vehicle.